I've always enjoyed the other Azteca locations, and this one is just as good, and even better decorated. What a transformation from the old Village Inn!
Open only a week, and really bustling, but the service and kitchen were mostly able to keep up.
Fajitas are the highlight for me here. This was the first time I tried them with carnitas, and the meat was tender and succulent.
The Cadillac Margaritas are also excellent.
The dining room is high ceilinged, but can be quite loud when full. For a somewhat less boisterous dining experience, ask for a high top in the bar, or a table in the room beyond the bar.
This reincarnation of the old Hemingway's spot is very good. Because of the Richard Blaise branding, I was expecting more molecular gastronomy, but it's pretty focused on fresh seafood.
We selected the Seafood Smorgasbord as our starter, and it proved to be so extensive that it was really a meal for two, including nearly every appetizer on the menu: Tuna tostada, scallop ceviche, stone crab claws, shrimp cocktail, ham croquettes, shrimp toast, and a dozen oysters! Highlights were the scallops and the tuna and, surprisingly, the croquettes. We weren't fans of the shrimp toast; although perfectly crisped, it was a bit sweet, and lacked any shrimp flavor. At $128 this was fairly priced, and a really complete dinner for two.
After that, all we could manage were a couple more small plates. Ribeye Pichos were two small skewers of flavorful beef, tasty but maybe not worth $23. Jerk coated cauliflower, also available in an entree size portion, was excellent.
The Boulevardier is an amazing cocktail. It's also nice that they have a wine of the day poured from magnum. Ours was Chateau LaGrange.
I've been going to this place for 38 years, since it first opened as Hemingway's, and our server, Michael, has been there just as long! So some things haven't changed. Now if they would just bring back the Key Wester salad as a tribute to the old days, it would be perfect.
Four Flamingos 1 Grand Cypress Blvd Orlando, FL 32836
ExteriorBarSpicy tuna dipPotato SkinsWingsMaine Lobster Roll
*** (3 stars)
This is a combination sports bar and seafood place, focusing on mostly fried seafood dishes the way you might get them in Boston, or the way people think you might get them in Boston. There's nothing great about the place except the decor, which is pretty good, and the nice location on Celebration's waterfront. But there's nothing terrible about it either. The best thing we had was the lobster roll, which had a reasonable amount of lobster in it, although it was priced accordingly. The sports bar food was less good. The potato skins and chicken wings were just OK. Spicy tuna dip was a poor choice. It was basically really liquid tuna sandwich filling, and not spicy at all. There is a lovely outside area dedicated to dining with dogs, so if you're a dog watcher, it's a great place to visit lots of canine friends.
Celebration Town Tavern 721 Front St Celebration, FL 34747
InteriorPisco Sour and Chicha MoradaCausa de CamaronesCeviche de Pescado y CamaronesMariscos saltado
***** (5 stars)
This is my favorite Peruvian restaurant in Orlando. Everything is very authentic. They have the best ceviche I've had anywhere but Lima. The causas are also excellent.
As of this writing if you check in on Yelp they offer a free Chicha Morada, a delicious fruity non-alcoholic drink (based on purple corn, interestingly) with a touch of cinnamon and clove.
The pisco sours are also excellent.
Memories of Peru Pollos a la Brasa 5700 International Dr Orlando, FL 32819
This is an excellent sports bar, with lots of screens, and a very extensive menu. There's pretty much and sports bar food you can think of. My burger was exactly the way I like it, and my companions Cobb salad and chicken ginger baskets both looked good. Service was prompt and friendly, as the name suggests.
Friendly Confines Metro West 2461 S Hiawassee Rd Orlando, FL 32835
I love the decor of all PF Chang's, and this is one of my favorites. It's themed, yet tasteful, dramatic yet not distracting.
It had been a few years since I'd been to this location so I thought I'd check it out. The menu is largely unchanged, which is not a bad thing; when you're doing something well, keep doing it.
We started with the shrimp dim sum, sauteed and served still sizzling on a hot metal platter. They were excellent, especially with the sauce, which was thoughtfully served on the side to keep the potstickers crisp.
We always have to have the Northern Style Short Ribs. They're generously meaty ribs with a Chinese five-spice rub. I missed the ramekin of sweet and salty spices they used to be served with, but they're still great.
The orange chicken was a generous serving for the lunch size, but the orange sauce had turned the chicken's coating a bit mushy. I would order this sauce on the side next time.
A special was the Short Rib Fried Rice. I think it was the best thing I've ever had a PF Chang's! In addition to the beef, there were mushrooms, kimchee, edamame, and a wonderful wasabi cream sauce. I had to force myself to stop eating this!
InteriorInteriorInteriorInteriorInteriorChicken and ribs
**** (4 stars)
This place is an excellent choice for a meal that will entertain the kids and provide credible food for the adults. The decor is a step beyond Rainforest Cafe-level (although the animation of the dinosaurs is not going to challenge Disney). The menu is typical sports bar plus some larger plates, and the service is good. It's large and fairly noisy, but so are dinosaurs.
T-Rex Cafe 1676 E Buena Vista Dr Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
